<p>I really haven't done much except for 20 hours so far(for 3 years in hs) and when I tried to find any openings(hospital,library,city hall) they were all filled up. I'm now thinking about getting a job because searching for a right volunteer activity is becoming such a problem and waste of time. Do colleges regard someone who has 200+ hours volunteering very highly or is it a very small component in the admission process. Also, is getting a job equally as good as volunteering in terms of admission into a college?</p>
<p>Admission officials like to see that students are doing something worthwhile outside of the classroom, and holding a paying job certainly qualifies. It's also nice for for them to note that many teenagers spend time helping others via volunteer work. However, "community service" has been touted as such an admissions imperative (and is even required at certain high schools) that admission folks aren't as impressed by seeing mega-hours of volunteer work on applications as they were eons ago, back in my era. </p>
<p>Yet do keep in mind that, if you want to add volunteer work to your resume, you don't necessarily have to sign on to help out at a hospital, library, etc. Instead, you can create your own customized volunteer project. For instance, are there senior citizens in your neighborhood who could benefit from free yard work or dog-walking? Could you teach basic Internet skills, tie-dying or skateboarding to elementary students? What special talents or interests do you have (music, sports, writing, etc.) that you might share with others? Admission committees tend to be most wowed by students whose volunteer endeavors are atypical ones. So, by coming up with your own unique idea, you're more likely to stand out in the crowd than if you're doing the same sorts of things that everyone else is doing.</p>
<p>if you've got it, great. colleges will love that.</p>
<p>if you don't but are truly interested, do it. it's one more thing for them to love about you.</p>
<p>if you don't and only would to get a leg up, don't. it won't really hurt you as long as you have passionate ECs overall.</p>
<p>What colleges are you trying to get into petlee?</p>
<p>I concur w/Sally. Find a great job, have a great time, earn some spending money in the meanwhile. Don't sweat about the voluntarism. If it's available and interest you: go for it. Even better: If there's a project that you can see yourself developing: go for that.</p>
<p>The value to adcoms is someone who is INVOLVED rather than texting or on the PC all day long. Whether it's a job, volunteering or babysitting -- it's all good</p>